Vehicle console with coupled motion and enhanced storage capabilities

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment includes a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a movable console. The movable console includes a holder for removably receiving and holding a mobile computer having a display. The holder may be displaced between a stowed position and a deployed position. The display is presented for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the seat in both of those positions.

This is a divisional application of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/994,122, filed on May 31, 2018, which is also a divisionalapplication of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/375,992 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,011,240) filed on Dec. 12, 2016.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the motor vehicle field and, moreparticularly, to a console with a vehicle coupled for movement with avehicle seat, and also providing for enhanced storage capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Consoles in the interior compartment of a motor vehicle are typicallyfixed relative to the passenger or driver seat. Hence, movement of theseat relative to the fixed console to achieve a comfortable position maynot position the driver or passenger optimally for accessing controls orstorage locations (bins, cupholders, etc.) associated with the console.A typical console also includes a fixed “pass through” storage bin thatwould not allow for movement. Furthermore, the console, if movedforward, would not be readily accessible by rear passengers in thevehicle.

Accordingly, a need is identified for a console that addresses the issueof driver or passenger access when the corresponding seat is moved toand fro in a travel direction, and which may also independently providefor enhanced storage capabilities.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving withinthe interior vehicle compartment in a travel direction. A console alsowithin the interior compartment is coupled to the seat. The consoleincludes a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of theconsole travels with the movable seat in the travel direction.

In one embodiment, the collapsible portion comprises a pass throughstorage bin having an open upper end. The volume of the pass throughstorage bin changes based on a position of the body portion of theconsole in a travel direction. The collapsible portion may includesidewalls at least partially received within the body portion of theconsole, which sidewalls may comprise a reticulated material.

The apparatus may further include a base for supporting the console. Thebase may include a forward portion to which a front end of thecollapsible portion is attached. The base may be stationary relative tothe console, and may house components, such as HVAC ducts, electroniccomponents or wiring, or other auxiliary equipment.

In one embodiment, the console comprises a holder for removablyreceiving a mobile computer having a display. The holder has a stowedposition and a deployed position wherein the holder presents the displayfor viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the movable seat. The bodyportion of the console may also include a rear slide drawer including atilting door for facilitating access by rear passengers in the interiorvehicle compartment.

Another aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment including a floor having a seat adapted formoving in a travel direction and a console for coupling with the movableseat. A stationary base is provided for housing auxiliary components(such as HVAC ducts, wires, etc.). The stationary base extends above thefloor and supporting the console for movement in the travel direction,such as by sliding.

In one embodiment, the stationary base may have a length in a traveldirection that is greater than a length of a body of the console in thetravel direction. The stationary base may include spaced guide tracksfor guiding the console. The console may further comprise: (a) a holderfor removably receiving a handheld mobile computer having a display, theholder having a stowed position and a deployed position wherein theholder presents the display for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated inthe movable seat; or (b) a rear slide drawer including a tilting door.

According to yet a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment includes a seat adapted for moving in atravel direction. A console is coupled to the movable seat. The consoleincludes a holder for removably receiving and holding a mobile computerhaving a display, the holder having a stowed position and a deployedposition wherein the holder presents the display for viewing by avehicle passenger seated in the movable seat.

In one embodiment, the console includes a tray for receiving the holderin the stowed position. The console may also be adapted for guiding theholder from the stowed position to the deployed position. The consolemay be coupled to the movable seat by a stepped interface, or a seatactuator for moving the seat in the travel direction and a consoleactuator for moving the console in the travel direction may be adaptedfor operating in a coordinated or synchronized manner.

Still a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment including a seat for moving in a traveldirection and a console for moving in the travel direction. The consoleincludes a rear slide drawer including a tilting door. The drawer maythus be slid rearwardly relative to the console and the door tilted tofacilitate access by passengers in a rear portion of the interiorvehicle compartment.

Yet a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment including a movable seat and consoleadapted for coupling with the movable seat. A stepped interface isprovided for linking the console to the movable seat. In one possibleembodiment, the stepped interface comprises a pair of brackets, eachincluding a lower portion adapted for connecting to a portion of themovable seat, an intermediate portion above the lower portion extendingtransverse to the direction of travel, and an upper portion above theintermediate portion for connecting with the console.

An aspect of the disclosure also pertains to an apparatus for aninterior vehicle compartment including a seat movable in a traveldirection and a seat actuator for moving the seat in the traveldirection. A console is provided and movable in the travel direction. Aconsole actuator is also provided for moving the console in the traveldirection in coordination with the movement of the seat.

In one embodiment, a controller is provided for coordinating theactuation of the console actuator and the seat actuator. The seat andconsole actuators may comprise motors for causing the coordinatedmovement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the console withcoupled motion and enhanced storage capabilities and, together with thedescription, serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawingfigures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of a vehicleincluding the console with coupled motion and enhance storagecapabilities forming one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view looking rearwardly from the front ofthe compartment, illustrating a stepped interface for connecting theseat to the console for coupled movement;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the coupled console resting for slidingmovement on a stationary base;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 5A illustrate the collapsible nature of the console;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the console;

FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B illustrate a rear drawer with a pivoting doorforming part of the console;

FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B illustrate a holder for holding a mobile computer,which may also form part of the console;

FIGS. 9 and 9A are schematic views illustrating the reach zones and viewof a driver in relation to the coupled movement of the seat and console;and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment for providingthe coupled movement.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently disclosedembodiments of the inventive aspects of the console, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a console 10 for the interior vehicle orpassenger compartment 12 of a vehicle is illustrated. The passengercompartment 12 includes typical structures, such as a seat 14 forseating a driver or passenger, a floor 16 for supporting the seat, asteering wheel 18 for steering the vehicle, and a dashboard 20, whichmay include controls for the vehicle or otherwise. As perhaps bestunderstood with reference to FIG. 2, the seat 14 may be mounted formoving along a guide track 22 in a travel direction D, so that thedriver may move toward and away from the steering wheel 18 or othercontrols, such as the accelerator or brake pedals, and a suitable latchmay also be provided for latching the seat in place once the desiredposition is reached.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the console 10 is coupled formovement with the seat 14. As indicated in FIG. 2, which is a rearwardview from underneath the seat 14, this coupling may be achieved byproviding a connector between a body portion 10 a of the console 10 anda support 24 for supporting the seat and engaged with the guide track22. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector comprises a steppedinterface, which may take the form of a pair of brackets 26, 27 spacedin a travel direction D of the seat 14. The first or forward bracket 26may include a lower end portion 26 a connected to the support 24 andgenerally upstanding therefrom, an intermediate transverse portion 26 bgenerally perpendicular to the lower end portion 26 a, and an upperportion 26 c for connecting with the console 10. In particular, theupper portion 26 c may extend both vertically and transversely toconnect with the console 10 and, in particular, a lower portion of thebody portion 10 a. The second bracket 27 may include similarly orientedportions, but the intermediate portion 27 b may be shorter in thetransverse direction as a result of the inboard projection of acorresponding of the seat support 24 at the rear location where theconnection is made. Thus, movement of the seat 14 to and fro in thetravel direction D causes movement of the console 10 in a correspondingmanner, the several advantages of which will be understood uponreviewing the following description.

Referring back to FIG. 1, it can be understood that the console 10 maybe supported for movement relative to a stationary base 28 which issupported by the vehicle floor 16 (and, in particular, a bolster 16 aforming part of the floor). The base 28 has a length L₁ in the traveldirection D greater than the length L₂ of the body portion 10 a of theconsole 10. Thus, as the seat 14 is moved to and fro in the traveldirection D, the body portion 10 a of the console 10 also moves to andfro, such as by sliding along the stationary base 28. To provideguidance for achieving repeatable and reliable movement, the base 28 mayinclude guide tracks 28 a, 28 b as shown in FIG. 3 for engaging part ofthe body portion 10 a of the console 10. As further depicted, the base28 may contain or house vehicle components, such as conduits or ducts 30forming part of the vehicle HVAC system air, wires 32, or both, forconveyance of air or power from the forward to the rear portion of thepassenger compartment 12.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, the console 10 may alsobe made to expand in the travel direction D during the coupled movement.Specifically, as perhaps best understood with reference to FIGS. 4, 5,5A, and 6, the console 10 may include a collapsible portion 10 b, suchas at the forward end adjacent to the dashboard 20. In one embodiment,this collapsible portion 10 b comprises a pair of laterally spaced,generally parallel sidewalls 10 c. Each sidewall 10 c may comprise apair of vertically spaced supports 10 d for supporting a reticulated ormesh material 10 e. Together with the upper surface of the base 28, thesidewalls 10 c form a “pass through” storage bin for holding articles orobjects that can be accessed through an open top by either the driver orpassenger when seated in the corresponding seat 14.

The supports 10 d may be attached at a forward end to a surface in theinterior compartment, such as an upstanding portion of the base 28, butcould also be attached to part of the dashboard 20. The rear ends of thesupports 10 d may be partially received within channels 10 f, 10 gformed in the lower portion of the body portion 10 a, and supportedinside of it. Thus, as the body portion 10 a moves to and fro in thetravel direction D in concert with the seat 14 as a result of thecoupled movement, the sidewalls 10 c may move within channels 10 f, 10 g(see FIG. 4) and become more fully recessed within the body portion 10 aof the console 10. As can be appreciated, this reduces the resultingstorage volume by an amount that depends on the relative movement (but,as discussed below, potentially enhances accessibility by improving theextent of a driver or passenger's reach). However, it is an alternativeto make the supports 10 d flexible and connected directly to a face ofthe console body portion 10 a, such that the sidewalls 10 c simplycollapse and lower during the relative movement, rather than becomingfurther recessed within the body portion 10 a.

As can be appreciated, forward movement in this manner may inhibit theability of passengers in the rear of the compartment to access theconsole 10. To address this potential issue, the body portion 10 a mayoptionally be provided with an extendable drawer 36. From viewing FIGS.7 and 7A, it can be appreciated that the drawer 36 may slide rearwardlyfrom an internal compartment in the body portion 10 a of the console 10,such that in an extended position it may overlie a portion of the base28 when the console is moved forward in concert with the seat. Tofacilitate access to the drawer 36 from the rear, a tilting door 38 mayalso be provided. The door 38 may form a closed end of the drawer in astowed position and may pivot to a deployed position, as shown in FIG.7B. This enhances a rear passenger's ability to access objects in thedrawer 36. From a comparison of FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B, it can also beappreciated that an upper portion of the console 10 forming an armrest39 for the driver or passenger may be pivoted to an open condition toprovide access to the drawer 36 in the stowed condition. As can befurther appreciated, since the armrest 39 travels with the console 10,it is always properly positioned for use by a driver or passenger in theseat in light of the coordinated movement.

Turning to FIGS. 8 and 8A, a further aspect of the disclosure pertainsto providing a console 10 with a deployable holder 40 connected to theconsole 10 for holding a mobile computer 42 (e.g., a “smart” phone)including a viewable display. The holder 40 may comprise an open topcompartment sized and shaped for at least partially receiving the mobilecomputer 42 (including possibly with adapters or inserts to accommodatedifferent sizes of devices) such that the display is facing upwardly ina stowed position of the holder within a tray 10 h in the upper portionof the console 10, and body portion 10 a of it in particular. Aretainer, such as a tab 40 a, may be provided along a rearward or lowerend of the holder 40 for retaining the computer 42 in the compartment.

To deploy the holder 40, it may be moved forwardly and pivoted to anangled position, while remaining connected and supported by the console10. To achieve this repositioning, an elongated slot 10 i may extend inthe console 10 along each side of the tray 10 h for slidably receivingoutwardly directed projections 40 b extending from the holder 40 inopposed directions (see one side of the tray 10 h as shown in FIG. 8b ).The tray 10 h may further include a notch 10 j at one end for supportingthe holder 40 at an angle that presents the screen of the computer 42such that it is readily visible to the driver and passenger. Thus, thecomputer 42 in this position may essentially serve as an auxiliarydevice for allowing the driver or passenger to play media, displaynavigation instructions, communicate in a hands-free manner, or perhapseven view images received wirelessly from a remote camera (such as avehicle backup camera). When not used for such purposes, the holder 40can simply be stowed in the tray 10 h by sliding the projections 40 b inslots 10 i. Removal of the computer 42 may also be facilitated byproviding a finger-sized notch 40 c in the forward end of the holder 40,which allows for the computer 42 to be easily dislodged from thecompartment.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 9 and 9A, as a result of the couplingof the seat 14 and the console 10, as well as the expansion afforded bythe collapsible portion 10 b, all storage locations (includingcupholders and the like) and controls on the console remain within fullreach of a driver or passenger. Specifically, the console 10 remainsfully and consistently within “reach zone” as indicated by arcuate lineZ, regardless of the repositioning of the seat 14 (compare rearwardpositions 10, 14 with forward positions 10′, 14′). Furthermore, theupper portion of the console 10, including in particular the holder 40,remains fully within the visual field V of the driver at all times inlight of the coupled movement.

With reference to FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment for providing coupledmotion between a console 10 and a seat 14 is also provided without theneed for a mechanical connection, such as bracket 26. In thisembodiment, a seat actuator 60, such as a motor (rotary or linear), isprovided for moving the seat position based on input from a driver orpassenger. An indication of the position of the seat 14 based on themovement of seat actuator 60 may cause a corresponding activation of aconsole actuator 64, such as a similar motor, to move the console 10 inconcert with the seat 14. The indication may be provided to a commoncontroller 62, or may be transmitted directly between the actuators 60,64 as an encoder signal. As can be appreciated, this avoids the need fora mechanical connection, and may also allow for the relative movement tobe adjusted or fine-tuned by the driver or passenger using thecontroller 62 (such that the console 10 moves a specified amount basedon the movement of the seat 14).

In summary, an improved, movable and expandable console 10 with enhancedstorage, visibility, and reachability is provided. The console 10 may beconnected to the vehicle seat 14 for coupled movement, either by adirect mechanical connection or an indirect connection using coupledmotors, and may concurrently expand in a travel direction by moving(sliding) along a stationary base 28 supported by a floor 16 of thevehicle. A rear drawer 36 with a pivoting door 38 may be used to provideenhanced access for rear seat passengers. A holder 40 for a mobilecomputer 42 may also be provided such that it may remain visible to aseated driver or passenger regardless of the position of thecorresponding seat 14. Overall, an improved storage arrangement isprovided for the interior compartment of a vehicle, without contributingsignificantly to the cost or complexity of manufacture.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment,comprising: a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction; and amovable console including a holder for removably receiving and holding amobile computer having a display, the holder having a stowed positionand a deployed position wherein the holder presents the display forviewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the seat in both the deployedand the stowed positions.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theconsole includes a tray for receiving the holder in the stowed position.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the console is adapted for guidingthe holder from the stowed position to the deployed position.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the console is coupled to the seat.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, further including: a seat actuator for moving theseat in the travel direction; and a console actuator for moving theconsole in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the console includes a collapsible portionfor collapsing relative to a body portion of the console.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the console is adapted for guiding theholder from the stowed position to the deployed position.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the console is coupled to the seat.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, further including: a seat actuator for moving theseat in the travel direction; and a console actuator for moving theconsole in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the console includes a collapsible portionfor collapsing relative to a body portion of the console.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the console is coupled to the seat. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, further including: a seat actuator for movingthe seat in the travel direction; and a console actuator for moving theconsole in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the console includes a collapsibleportion for collapsing relative to a body portion of the console. 14.The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a seat actuator for movingthe seat in the travel direction; and a console actuator for moving theconsole in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the console includes a collapsibleportion for collapsing relative to a body portion of the console. 16.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the console includes a collapsibleportion for collapsing relative to a body portion of the console.